Hi, I oppose this proposal…

Hi,

I oppose this proposal and the original Rebuilding Ontario Place Act.

I do not believe that either were created for the good of Ontario citizens. There has been corruption reported in the Ontario Place and Ontario Science Centre redevelopment from the beginning and from reputable sources. See the Auditor Governor General's report and the recent New York Times article as examples. The Ontario government has not made any concrete effort to address the concerns in either of those sources, or to respond to the many citizens and experts who have voiced concerns for the projects or offered to help.

This proposal will grant the project exemption from Part II of the Environmental Bill of Rights, 1993, which includes requirements for giving public notice and opportunities for comment, for proposals for provincial permits and approvals.

Part II of the Ontario's Environmental Bill of Rights focuses on public participation in government decision-making related to environmentally significant proposals. It outlines the minimum levels of public participation required before the government makes decisions on matters like policies, laws, and regulations. This part also establishes the Environmental Registry of Ontario and requires ministries to publish their statements of environmental values. Exempting the project from this section will remove all opportunity for public participation, which is not right. The public has a right to voice concerns about governemnt decisions that could significantly impact the environment, which impacts them (plus all the wildlife and plants in the area of a project). Often it's the people who live right by a project that also know key information that can lead to project success or failure. Removing the right to participate is not in the spirit of meaningful consultation (a commitment of the government). It will further alienate the public. It will support the corruption with this project and the Auditor Governor General's report. It will send a message to the public that the government is doing what they want and that they do not want to listen to the public; a good government listens to their citizens and all their views, whether or not the views are aligned with the government's.

The public has a constitutional right to a healthy environment. Without a healthy environment, we do not have clean air or water, protection from flooding/fires/etc, food, shelter, etc. I should not have to name all the health, socioeconomic, and cultural services the environment provides to humans. The government should be well aware of them. The environment sustains us all and that's why the Bill of Rights exists. The government has a duty to protect its citizens, current and future generations.

I believe that the government should be trying harder to engage the public. I don't know how the public is supposed to find out about these things with the legislation as it is. I only saw this proposal because I was on the ERO looking at a different proposal. The government makes key announcements like these proposals the day before a long weekend, which is not appreciated as it will not get participation.

Proposals for permits and approvals related to this project should
continue to be posted to the Environmental Registry of Ontario. This maintains a transparent, accountable, and responsible government.

Regulation making authority should not be changed to create a conflict of interest, which I believe this proposal will do.

I urge the current government to take a stand for the environment, for all the direct and indirect benefits it provides and its intrinsic value. Today's world is facing multiple crises (climate, geopolitical, etc). We do not need more attacks, like this proposal, on the environment and proper consultation. Thank you